Multicolor press



March 17, 1931. H. v. BALL MULTIGOLOR PRESS Filed Nov. 1, 1927 3 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR March 17, 1931. H. v. BALL MULTICOLOR PRESS Filed Nov. 1, 1927 \IENTOR.,

3 Sheets-Sheet. 2

March 17, 1931. H. v. BALL MULTICOLOR PRESS Filed Nov. 1, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY V. BALL, OF CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO B. HOE 8c (30., INCL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,. A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK MULTIGOLOR PRESS Application filed November This invention relates to certain improvements in multi-color printing machines.

It is the special Object of the present invention to produce a printing press arrangement comprising two presses arranged side by side, the form cylinders of which are capacitated to carry two plates wide and two plates around, with folders at right angles to the presses, such press arrangement giving a wide variety of products, and products which cannot be produced with single cylinders four plateswide.

It is a further object of the present inven tionto produce such a color press of simple construction and compact arrangement in which there are a plurality of couples for each press with web guides for leading the webs through the couples to obtain a wide variety of color printings, and in which the direction of rotation of the cylinders may be varied as desired.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinations which will be described in conneetion with the accompanying drawings and the novel features pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation showing diagrammatically a color press witha web lead for printing two colors on one side ofa web and three colors on the other;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a web leadfor printing one color or black on one side of a web and foul: colors on the other;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the press arrange ment shown in Figure 1, showing two two plate wide presses arranged side by side with a double folder, at right angles to the presses, with web guides for leading the webs directly to either folder or associating them at one folder, either with or without reversal;

Figure 1 is a plan view of a folding arrangement in which the webs may be led to either folder, or associating them at one of the'folders, and i Figures 5 to 10 show certain of the products which can be obtained with the press arrangement: shown. i

1, 1927. Serial No. 230,270.

Referring now to these drawings and first to Figures 14, the press arrangement chosen to illustrate the invention includes two presses arranged side by side, each press including five printing couples. lVhile the number of.

couples may be varied, the presses will preferably be arrangcd side by side and the form cylinders of the couples will be capacitated to carry two plates wide and two plates around.

As shown, there are two presses A, B arranged side by side and closely adjacent, separate driving mechanism being provided for each press, so that they may be driven together orlindependently as hereinafter re ferred to. Press A .includes five printing couples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the couples 1, 2 and 3 being arranged superposed, and the couples 4, 5 being arranged superposed at one side of the other couples. Each of the couplesincludes a form cylinder 6, and an impression cylinder 7, suitable inkingrnechauism being provided for inking the plates, this mechanism not being shown. Press B also includes five couples similarly arranged, the top couples .only being shown and marked 3 and 5 in Figure 3. Each of these couples includes a form cylinder 6 and an impression cylinder 7'.

The couples and associated parts are supported in suitable framing, press A being supported in framing 8, and press B being supported in framing 9.

The form cylinders of each press are capacitated to carry two printing plates wide and two plates around. These presses are fed from suitable webs in various *ays. Either a full width web roll B may be used, this '(Tll being divided by a slitter 10 into two half width webs W, or twonarrow or half width web rolls R, B may be provided, the rollR supplying press A, and the roll ll supplying press B. W'here two rolls are used, they are arranged at one end of the presses, and the webs may go directly to the presses over guide rolls 11, and under guide rolls 12, as shown in Figure 1, the webs being guided by a guide roll 13 to the lowest couple 1 of each press. 1

Where a wide roll R is used, the roll is positioned at one side of the press, and the webs o a turning bar 21 and over couples 1 of each press. Web goes over a turning bar 14 and guide roll15 under guide 'roll 12 to press A. Web 1V goes over turner bar 16, g-uideroll lfiu nder guide roll'12on the other press topress B. i i

In accordance with the invention, folding mechanism is provided for the presses, this folding mechanism being arranged with the folding rolls at right rangles to the press. Various arrangements of the web leads-to the folder may be provided, and the folder is preferably a double folder, the web guides being arranged to guide each web to a folder ortoassociate the webs from both presses at one folder. Referring first to F-igure 1, there are provided two folders C, D,-the-fo]ding rolls 18 of which are arranged at right an to the presses. In the arrangement shown in this figure, the web W after: being printed and perfected as hereinafterreferred to, may go over a'turning bar19, and over a'reversing roll 2-O of-thefolder G; or it may go over a reversing roll 22 to the folder D. Y I

The web W after'being printed in press may beled. over a turning'bar' 23- and over a reversing roll 24, and associated with web W at folder- C; or it-may go over a turning bar 25', and over-areversing roll 26, to folder D, where it .can'be associated-with web 'W at that folder'when WebVV has been led there.

If desired, web'W 'may be led over a turner bar 27 to folder'C, or over a turner bar 28 to folder D, this web lead- :being without reversal. Likewise, web lv niay be led overa turner bar 29 and associated with web W at folder C, or can go to folder G alone, web W 'being then led to folder D; or web 7 may go over a turner r 30- to folder D, ,e ithor alone or associated with web 1V at that folder,-these .web leads being-direct without reversal, Figure 4. 1

Vith this arrangement a wide variety of products may be obtain'edwithout any idle cylinders, and two web leads are shown as illustrative of the invention.

Referring first to Figure '1 and assuming the web leads are the-same for bothpresses A, B, the webs are led under the guide rolls 13 up between the couples 1, 2 and 3, and from couple 3 down and then up between couples 4, 5, and then over guide roll3lto the folders. "With this run, thesides of thewebs are-printed inthree colors, and thesides'Y perfected in two colors, and usingtheturner bar arrangement of Figure Sgives the prod not shown in Figure 5-; using the bar arrangement of Figure 4 gives the product of Figurefi; and theproductof Figure 7 may this arrangement being shown in he" obtainedby associating the"web s with the bar arrangement of Figure 4 at either folder.

Referring now to Figure 2, and. assuming that the web leads are the same for both presses A and B, the webs are led up under guide rolls between printing couples 3, and then down between printing couples 2, 1, then up between printing couples 4, 5, then over the guide rolls 3'1 to the folder. With this run the sides X of the webs receive one printing in black or color, and the eides Yreceive four printings in color. Using the turnerbar arrangement of Figure 4 gives the product shownin Figure 8 using the bar arrangement of Figure 3 gives the product of Figure 9, and the product of ,Figure 10 may be obtained at either folder by associating the webs with the turner bar arrangement of Figure 3. V

It will be understood that other products .may be produced in great ,variety withthe anangement shown. .Thus, for 1nstance s for instance, four colors may beprintedron each side of one oft-he narrow width-webs. For instance, the .web lv niay be printed With four colors 1 on one .side by the couples 1,.32, 4and' 5.of;p'ress Aiandled rover to press B and printed with four colors on'the other ;-100

side, this run being indicated indotted lines in' Figure 1, thewebi'beinwled'overpress A to press 'Bover suitable'liars, indicated in dotted lines by the numeral-32. VVl1ere.=tl1is lead is. employed-the couples: 3, 3 of presses A, B wvillbe'idle, four couples of each press only being used.

The presses may be driven inaany suitable manner, but preferably thisdriving arrangement issuch-that each of the presses A, B maybe'driven independentlyor so that-the pressesmay bedriven together, anda drive for effecting this is shown in t'he drawings. Referring to Figure 3, .theipress A is driven from a line shaft 33 by means of a motor, indicated at 34. "Driven fromithexline-shaft through mitre gears 35, 36 is a vertical shaft 37, by which the couples 1, 2 and 3 are driven, the drive for these couples being'from the impression cylindersby means ofmitres 38, 39, 40. Driven :from the line shaft 33 -i s a second vertical shaft 41, the drive for-this shaft being efiectedby-m itres 42, 43, which drive the'impression cylinders of-thecouples '4, 5 bymeans of mitres 44, 45. t

The d-rivefor press B is the same,the press being driven from a line shaft 4b, ivhicl1 drives two verticalshafts 47, 48, this shaft being driven by an independent -motor, i1ot shown. The cylinders of press B'--are driven lit from amitre arrangement the same as press A- andfneednotagain be described.

With. thisconstruction, both presses can be drivenindependently: For driving them together, where desired, "there is provided a shaft a9 provided at each end with mitres 50., 51,which arein mesh with mitres 52, 53

on the lineshafts 46, 33. A clutch, indicated at 54, is provided which when engaged permitsboth presses to be driven together by either motor. i

'As before stated, it may be desirable to reverse the direction of the drive of the couples, as'shown, for instancein Figure 2, and each couple is provided with a second mitre gear, indicated by the numeral 55, for effecting this drive.

It will be seen that with the construction described a colorpress of great flexibility has-been provided, and one which in addition to the capacity of producing productsthat can be produced on a four plate wide cylinder has the capacity to produce a large number of products which cannot be produced on a four plate wide cylinder without having a part of such cylinder idle.

WVhile the invention has been shown and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that wide changes and variations may be made in the number and arrangement of the printing couples and the web leads without departing from the invention, the web leads, the products therefrom, the number and arrangement of the couples having been shown only as illustrative of the invention.

Vhat is claimed is:

1. In a color press, the combination of two presses arranged side by side, each press including a plurality of printing couples arranged end to end and independently reversible, the form cylinders of which are two plates wide, means for driving all the couples in either direction, a folding mechanism, and web guides for directing the webs from one press across to the other and to the folding mechanism.

2. In a color press, the combination of two presses arranged side by side, each press ineluding a plurality of printing couples arranged end to end and independently reversible, the form cylinders of which are two plates wide, means for driving all the couples in either direction, folding mechanism arranged at right angles to the press, and web guides for directing the webs across from one press to the other and to the folding mechanism.

3. In a color press, the combination of two presses arranged side by side, each press including a plurality of printing couples independently reversible, the form cylinders of which are two plates wide and arranged end to end, means for driving all the couples in either direction, a pair of folders arranged at right angles to the press, and web guides for leading each web to a folder and associating both webs at one folder.- 1 i 4. In a color press; the combination of two presses arranged side by side, each press including a plurality of printing couples arranged end to end and independently rcversible, theiform'cylindersof which are two plates wide, web guides forleading aweb throu h one press to print a pluralityof colors oh one side, web guidesfor leading a web across to the othei' press to perfect the web in-a plurality ofcolors, and a folder to which the web is led after printing. i 5. In a color press, the combination of two presses arranged side by side, each press including a. plurality of printing couples, the form cylinders of which are two plates wide, means for driving the cylinders of either press indifferent directions, web guides for I loading a web through one press to print a plurality o't' colors on one side, web guides for leading a webacross to the other press to perfectthe web in a plurality of colors, and afolder to which the web is led after printing. 1 w

6. y In a color press, the combination ofwtwo presses arranged side by side, each press including a plurality of printing couples, the form cylinders ofhwhichare two plates wide and arranged end to end, folding mechanism arranged at right angles v-to the press, and web guides for leading-the webs directly to thejfolding mechanism or for revel-sin the webs and then leading thenr to vthe folding mechanism. i 1

7. In acolorpress, the combination of two presses arranged side by side, each press includinga plurality of printing coup]es,tho form :ylind'ers of which are two' platcs wide and arranged endto end, means for driving the :couples in either :direction, folding meclr anisnn a-nd web guidesforleading the webs directly to the foldingniechanismi or for reversingithe webs "and then leading them to the-folding mechanism. 1 8. In a color press, the combination of two presses arranged side by side,each press including a plurality of printing couples, the

form cylinders of which are twoplates wide and arranged end to end, means for driving the couples in I either direction, .a pair of foldersarrangedat right angles to the press, and web guides for leading the webs directly to either folder or associating them at one i folder, or for reversing the webs and then leading them to either folder or associating them at one folder. i

Ina color press, thecombination of two presses arranged side by side, each press in cluding av plurality of printing couples in dependently reversible, the form cylinders of which are two plates wide and arranged end to'end,zmeans capacitated for feeding to the presses a. gvide :web andislitting it' into two can webs-rend means:fotw eeding two nerrcwr 'we is fQlClifHg me hanism r anged at right, angles to the:;nreeg,;and;web; guides 'ifiQlT li Ttfi ingil hfii ii:eb,s--to l1e: fi ld ng c 1.1ism;-,,. I

c 10.; In.-

01910.1; pres he v 9n hina-tion 0t two -p1; ..ses; 'anra-nged side, by side, each press inchidinge;plurality-0 pr ntingr onplee h tcrmcyl dens QfWh'i. -.e-retW plates i means tor: driving the cc plesii eitherd recienrmemL-icapeciteted; er fee ing :to. the. pressesla widewebandis a tm it in c: two n rrow-Webs andrmeensdioref edmg we a ow Webs, f01ding;1necl;1anism,; and; Web guides for directing: the; website the-hiding mechanis 11.. In acolokpress thecombination; of two presses. arranged :side by sideeec rp es n cliudi'ngsa; delrelity of:-=*p i-nting eonples, the Orin cylin ens; oftw aich a zegtweplates. ide, nieansrforidniiring.the-eeiiplesimeitherrdirecr tion, means; ccpccit ted; for ee gg q' he press-either alwide webfzrnd slitting it ini-ctwo narrow: Webs and: inezrnsiv fen feeding two. narrow Webs, a pair; oiE-felders erranged at, right angles te the-press; and. W bl'gnides; 01: leading a Web to each folder or associating bgtli webszat oneifblden;

V 12;. In a'colorpress .thcorhbination: Qftwo' presses arrangedcside by side',.ea,ch including a: plulality 0J5 printing ceuples; independently side ith; the. yli d vsendr c an a h press incl di g; e-epliwal ty f. ep n e tly eversible; printing couples, the; fomnpylinders t? which erei w ep etes1-wide, Web; guides er ading a W b throug awa nt t e ple fithe p esstQ-pri t ndnerfec'tft e eb,

b uidesr f r v z 1i 1-;; secondw t l cu certein of the, oup es' ofi e Secon P es o partially plrin it, andweb guidesyton ad ng the sec ndcw 3acrc st ithe rstp e st rt r ther print it. 7

, ,eb: t l' az a een pr yiousl yi pri nted ythe other-press v r n; estimony. whereof, Lheyehereun cset mtthencl- I V BALL.

' reversihleythe fbrni cylinders of Whichare two plates .wideand garraznged end to end,

means; for; driving the cylinders; in: either direction; a: pairsoff olders .arranged at right englestethe. prese web-guides fbr leading-a Web to each folder or associating both NVQbSiht one folder; andmeansi for drivingthepresses separately-or: togetheri .1

13.1 lnlalcolorpress, thecombinationoftwo presscsQalrranged; side: by: side, each press including a; plurality; of? printing couples, er-

' ranged-enditc. end and Eindepen dently reyersie ble, the. 01m cylindersgcfwhich are. two, plates Wilde, \veb-. guidesqfor: leading a; Web through one presstoiprintzmplurazlity: o-ffcolors on one side, web guides for leading the: web acivdssto the othenpresszto;perfectathez.web a pluralitygof colors; aufclder to Iwliichcthe Webzis led after: printing, and-means: for drivingthe e presse'sseparatelyi on together.

14'. lnca icoloazpress, the ccmbinationof two presses arrangedgside Icy-side, each pressincluding a plurality of printing. cc-uples,' the form; cylinders: of; which are twb plates wide, means 1 forf driving: the: cylinders. ofreither press-Lina diflT-erentfdirectiong Web guidesv for leedi-ngywWebtlirohgh: One presswt'c prime 7 plurality of cclors' on one side, Web; guides for leadingtheweb: across to the other? press to; perfectithe WebLini a; plurality- "of colors, a V I 'iel'der toiwhich-the eb is l'ed aiftenprinting,

and; meansrfor the; presses; separateljy- 15.5lmmimzp ss;m me-mewGem) rotaryprinting nieclianisnistamiainged sideby; 

